Krakatoa - The Great Volcanic Eruption

Docudrama about the gripping story and events leading up to the cataclysmic eruption of the volcano Krakatoa in 1883.

On 27th August 1883 the uninhabited island of Krakatoa blew itself out of existence with an explosion the equivalent power of 150 million tonnes of TNT. The eruption was so loud that the sound was heard over a twelfth of the Earth’s surface, the shockwaves reverberated around the entire planet, seven times. This explosion also caused giant tsunami, the largest of them twice the height of those of 2004. These enormous waves wiped out 165 Indonesian towns and villages killing over 36,000 people. Within hours news of the disaster was transmitted around the globe, and scientists of the time struggled to comprehend the geological forces that caused the tragedy.

Indonesia has so many volcanoes and earthquakes because of its geographical position. The archipelago that starts in Northern Sumatra stretches over 3,000 miles south. It has been created by the forces where two of the tectonic plates that make up the Earth’s surface, meet. The ocean floor of the Indo-Australian Plate and the Asian landmass of the Burma Plate are in collision. As they push against each other the heavier ocean floor is forced underneath the lighter continental rock. Krakatoa lies directly above this subduction zone.

This film reconstructs the true stories of survivors from their accounts and diaries, to piece together what happened in the months leading up to the most famous eruption of all time.

[steffenritter]

This has to be one of the best documentaries of Krakatoa that I've ever seen. Well-done to those who participated in the film's production.

[eithnemelee]

The fact that the lighthouse keeper continued to guide ships with whatever scraps he had left to protect them from running aground, despite just having lost his wife and child, is truly heroic.

[DiktatrSquid]

I just want to give a shoutout to the lighthouse watcher.

In just one massive sweep of nature's cruelty he loses the lighthouse, his family and probably his home, effectively his life. And what does he do? Puts a lantern on a stick and continues his job keeping folks at sea safe, because that's what he came there to do. What a man!

[WendiintoancientHistory]

I've watched a lot of documentaries about volcanic eruptions (I'm a geologic junkie) and have never seen one SO masterfully done as this one. I've always have been drawn to the Krakatoa eruption ever since I was a kid looking wide eyed at a book in school about the eruption. It will forever fascinate me. I agree with all other comments about the honor and strength of that lighthouse keeper. I'm just glad his story, and others from the captain and crew of the ship that survived endured to this day.

[bossdog]

I sailed past what was left of Krakatoa in '85 when I was in the Navy.
There was a smallish island smoking in the gap between the larger outer part of the remaining island and Langi island.
It was named "Anak Krakatoa" (Child of Krakatoa).
Since then that small smoky island has increased in size dramatically as the volcano continues to regrow. (About an extra 540 ft. since then)
I was told at the time that the 'hole' left by the original explosion was approximately 6, 000 ft deep.

[alfiandzikri]

I'm Indonesian, I live near Krakatoa volcano, namely in Bakauheni District, South Lampung Regency, Lampung Province, Indonesia. here the scenery is very beautiful.

[MikuFan]

22:35 To see how the ocean just stopped for a short moment, and went back to normal was amazing. Nature is really strong.

[damonirvine]

50:12 what an awesome sight. The entire eruption in a physical time lapse. Incredible. I remember watching this as a kid and being traumatized by the eruption and tsunami sequence

[natwixterthan]

The dedication of that lighthouse keeper is the most amazing thing I've ever heard.

[mab]

This is the best Krakatoa documentary I’ve seen.

[rikibabam]

Saya orang indonesia, berterima kasih atas dokumentasi ini, sekarang kami memiliki anak krakatoa, yang bebarapa waktu lalu erupsi membuat tsunami kecil serta memakan korban yang berada ditepi pantai yang sedang mengadakan konser termasuk vocalis Band Seventeen tersebut.

[TiagoVoltaire]

The lighthouse keeper was a truly hero. Indonesia must be proud to have such brave people.

[jakegrist]

I began watching this out of mere curiosity and had no intention of watching the whole hour and a half of it. I just couldn't stop watching though. This was a really great production.

[yespls]

Those scientists had some balls to climb up onto an erupting volcano. If I felt a single earthquake while staying near a volcano, i'd get the hell out of dodge immediately

[gammatheprotobean]

I have infinite amounts of respect for the lighthouse keeper who stood at his post even after it was destroyed and he was nearly killed

[christianblessingbalbio]

This documentary catches my attention not only because of the anecdotes of Krakatoa's eruption like the bittersweet survival of the Beyerincks and the keeper of the Fourth Point Lighthouse, but also the mentioning of two interesting Dutch Government steamships: Governor-General Loudoun and Berouw. If I can visit Indonesia in the future, the Berouw mooring buoy monument and the ruins of the Fourth Point Lighthouse would be my go-to spots.

[thesguy]

when i was a child my mum told me about this. she was born in 59. her great grandmother told her about the "sound heard around the world". wow!

[crunchiesme]

Didnt they say that the sound of the explosion was heard 2000 miles away??? I can only imagine how loud it must have been to those within view of the volcano... 😣

[Ace_Unicrn]

I love how around 51:00 the guide is interested on how the event happened and how the scientist is more than happy to explain it. I just find that really wholesome.

[MyClinton]

The most famous and the biggest eruption in recent history. One of the best stories and studies needed to be told.